Mainframe Automation System Programmer

Job Title Mainframe Automation System Programmer

Location Plano, TX -Onsite

Skill IT IS_AMS_Mainframe_System Software_Administration

Must Have Technical/Functional Skills


The Automation System Programmer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining automation solutions that reduce manual effort, improve reliability, and enhance operational efficiency across mainframe platforms (z/OS, DB2, IMS, CICS, MQ, JES2/3). This role focuses on developing scripts, tools, and frameworks to automate routine tasks, system commands, monitoring, and recovery processes, ensuring compliance with audit and security standards.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years in Mainframe System Programming with strong focus on automation.
• Proficiency in Rexx, CLIST, JCL, and experience with IBM Workload Scheduler automation.
• Familiarity with z/OS subsystems (DB2, IMS, CICS, MQ) and operational workflows.
• Strong understanding of WTOR handling, command automation, and event-driven triggers.
• Experience with version control (Git) and DevOps practices for mainframe.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to Ansible for z/OS or similar automation frameworks.
• Knowledge of REST APIs for mainframe integration with enterprise automation tools.
• Experience in observability platforms (OMEGAMON, IBM Z Monitoring Suite).
• Certifications: IBM z/OS, Automation tools, ITIL.

Success Metrics

• Automation Coverage: % of manual tasks automated (target: 30-50% reduction in toil).
• Incident Reduction: Fewer repetitive incidents due to proactive automation.
• Change Compliance: 100% artifact capture for automated changes.
• Efficiency Gains: Measurable reduction in batch window and operator interventions.

Tools & Environment

• Languages: Rexx, CLIST, JCL, optional Python for z/OS.
• Automation Frameworks: Ansible for z/OS, IBM Workload Scheduler.
• Monitoring: OMEGAMON, RMF/SMF.
• Version Control: Git, ChangeMan.

Roles & Responsibilities

Automation Development & Maintenance

• Design and implement automation scripts (Rexx, CLIST, JCL, Ansible for z/OS) for routine operational tasks, health checks, and system recovery.
• Develop WTOR confirmation automation for operator commands with validation logic.
• Automate batch scheduling workflows in IBM Workload Scheduler (IWS/TWS) and integrate with enterprise orchestration tools.
• Create self-healing mechanisms for common issues (e.g., MQ transmit queue backlogs, DB2 log utilization alerts, IMS region restarts).

Monitoring & Alerting

• Build real-time monitoring dashboards for system health (CPU, DASD, queue depths, buffer pools).
• Implement event-driven automation for proactive remediation (e.g., auto-restart channels, clear JES backlog).
• Integrate automation with SIEM/SOC tools for security compliance.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all automation adheres to audit requirements: capture execution logs, approvals, and artifacts.
• Maintain version-controlled repositories for scripts and automation frameworks.
• Validate automation against SOX/ISO controls and enforce segregation of duties.

Performance & Optimization

• Automate capacity checks and performance tuning tasks for DB2, IMS, and CICS regions.
• Reduce batch window through job stream optimization and dynamic workload balancing.

Collaboration & Documentation

• Work closely with System Programmers, Operations, and Application teams to identify automation opportunities.
• Document all automation solutions with runbooks, rollback plans, and audit evidence.
• Provide training and knowledge transfer to operations teams.